Distinction in the Major is awarded by individual departments and programs in the College of Letters and Science to members of departmental honors programs who complete a senior honors project or thesis with distinction.

The Woodhouse Award is given to a senior major for merit, scholarship, and promise of success in the profession as determined by the faculty, in memory of Charles Douglas Woodhouse, Professor of Geological Sciences (1938-1955).

Awarded to a graduating senior for demonstrated consistent academic excellence, the honored student will have sustained a high GPA in upper division earth science courses. A medallion and a cash award are awarded to the recipient and the honoree's name is engraved on a perpetual plaque.

This award honors an undergraduate student who has shown unusual leadership and initiative with respect to departmental activities and goals. The recipient should be someone who has helped catalyze activities that have furthered departmental goals, such as the coherence, enthusiasm, and commitment of our undergraduates, mentorship of others, outreach to schools and visitors, the beautification of the department, or other activities that enhance our department. This prize is only awarded when an undergraduate exhibits unusual leadership; it will not necessarily be awarded yearly. (Created by Doug Burbank for June 2012)

The Coast Geological Society recognizes academic excellence in the geological sciences every year with its Scholarship Awards Program. This award is based on department recomendation of academic excellence and commitment to pursuing a geology-oriented profession.